The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has defended its decision to allow Shein to join amid concerns over treatment of workers.
Scrutiny of the Chinese fast fashion giant is growing ahead of a potential £50billion float.
Shein has been criticised for using suppliers who exploit lowp-aid workers to sell its clothes cheaply.
It has been trying to woo the British business community and says it has improved its supply chain.
Concerns: Shein has been criticised for using suppliers who exploit low-paid garment workers in China
This year it became a member of the BRC, which represents around 200 firms including M&S and Burberry.
BRC chief Helen Dickinson said all new members must be ‘willing to engage’ in key issues such as employment practices and environmental concerns before being approved.
‘The conversation with Shein joining is the same as it is with any member joining,’ she said.
And she said it was not the BRC’s job to defend Shein or act as ‘regulator, the policeman, the due diligence decider’.
‘We don’t defend any of our members, we defend our industry,’ said Dickinson. ‘It is not our job to be responsible for individual actions of any member.’
Rivals are unhappy that Shein can dodge hefty custom taxes as it ships directly from China.
The fashion brand has said it is investing millions of pounds in improving standards across its supply chains